Hey, I'm working on a scene where I want to have a space scene as shown from
an alien ship's display panel.
Here's what I have so far. I'm not overly concerned with the space scene
itself right now, since it already has alot added to it, but I was hoping to
illicit some suggestions on improving the interface.

Any and all ideas are appreciated.
Thanks,
Darcy

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Attachments:
Download 'interface.jpg' (86 KB)

Preview of image 'interface.jpg'

Looks good so far Darcy!

About the only thing I would suggest is using a truly "alien" type font,
perhaps.  I recognize that font as being distinctly Anglo Saxon (can even
read most of it...  isn't "sited" supposed to be spelled "sighted"??).  It
looks good, but to me anyway, it sort of suggests Vikings in space or
something ;)


"Darcy Johnston" <djo### [at] inamecomNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:3a86e5c9@news.povray.org...
> Hey, I'm working on a scene where I want to have a space scene as shown
from
> an alien ship's display panel.
> Here's what I have so far. I'm not overly concerned with the space scene
> itself right now, since it already has alot added to it, but I was hoping
to
> illicit some suggestions on improving the interface.
>
> Any and all ideas are appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Darcy
>
>
>
>
>

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"October" <oct### [at] hotmailcom> wrote in message
news:3a87399c$1@news.povray.org...
> Looks good so far Darcy!

Thanks.

> About the only thing I would suggest is using a truly "alien" type font,
> perhaps.

Can you suggest where I may find such a font.  This was the closest I could
find. :)

>  I recognize that font as being distinctly Anglo Saxon (can even
> read most of it...  isn't "sited" supposed to be spelled "sighted"??).  It
> looks good, but to me anyway, it sort of suggests Vikings in space or
> something ;)

Actually, the text you're referring to says: "Search: Potential Landing
Site.." :)

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October wrote:

> About the only thing I would suggest is using a truly "alien" type font,
> perhaps.  I recognize that font as being distinctly Anglo Saxon (can even
> read most of it...  isn't "sited" supposed to be spelled "sighted"??).  It
> looks good, but to me anyway, it sort of suggests Vikings in space or
> something ;)

Agreed. Just make up your own! There's only so many arrangements of loops and
segments, and the most rational ones can give you a pretty nice looking system
(have you played Riven?).

--
David Fontaine  <dav### [at] faricynet>  ICQ 55354965
My raytracing gallery:  http://davidf.faricy.net/

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Here are a few good sources of ttf fonts for free (and popup free as well):

http://www.fontpool.com/

and http://www.fontguy.com/

You might look for some of the wingding stuff to get really "alien".  A good
font (especially if it's reverse mirrored) is one called "cropograph" and
you might also look for "hirosh"

BTW, I have tried for quite some time to send you a pic I made based on what
I learned from your excellent planetary atmosphere tutorial!  I'll post
"Pacific Sunset" in binaries.images  :)

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Darcy Johnston wrote:
> 
> "October" <oct### [at] hotmailcom> wrote in message
> news:3a87399c$1@news.povray.org...
> > Looks good so far Darcy!
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> > About the only thing I would suggest is using a truly "alien" type
> > font, perhaps.
> 
> Can you suggest where I may find such a font.  This was the closest I
> could find. :)

It can be better to model the text as separate objects (or paint them
by hand if you're using an image map).

As for what letters to make, simply draw something that the aliens had
at some point in their early culture.  Simplify the drawing until it
has as few strokes of the pen as a typical letter.  Repeat.

Regards,
John

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"Darcy Johnston" <djo### [at] inamecomNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:3a8755a0@news.povray.org...
>
> Can you suggest where I may find such a font.  This was the closest I
could
> find. :)
>

startrek and b5 alien fonts at:
http://www.fontpool.com/nph-fontpool.cgi?job=list&key=startrek

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On Sun, 11 Feb 2001 14:18:49 -0500, "Darcy Johnston"
<djo### [at] inamecomNOSPAM> wrote:

>Hey, I'm working on a scene where I want to have a space scene as shown from
>an alien ship's display panel.
>Here's what I have so far. I'm not overly concerned with the space scene
>itself right now, since it already has alot added to it, but I was hoping to
>illicit some suggestions on improving the interface.
>
>Any and all ideas are appreciated.

I suggest you look at a game such as Descent Freespace or some of the
Star Wars series (there are demos available... huge download times,
though). There are some really nifty interfaces in there.


Peter Popov ICQ : 15002700
Personal e-mail : pet### [at] vipbg
TAG      e-mail : pet### [at] tagpovrayorg

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On Sun, 11 Feb 2001 14:18:49 -0500, Darcy Johnston wrote:
>Hey, I'm working on a scene where I want to have a space scene as shown from
>an alien ship's display panel.
>Here's what I have so far. I'm not overly concerned with the space scene
>itself right now, since it already has alot added to it, but I was hoping to
>illicit some suggestions on improving the interface.

This really rocks.  All it needs now is a few of your X-wings flying into 
the kill box. 

-- 
Cheers
Steve              email mailto:ste### [at] zeroppsuklinuxnet

%HAV-A-NICEDAY Error not enough coffee  0 pps. 

web http://www.zeropps.uklinux.net/

or  http://start.at/zero-pps

  6:52pm  up 10 days, 20:31,  2 users,  load average: 1.15, 1.32, 1.32

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> > About the only thing I would suggest is using a truly "alien" type font,
> > perhaps.
>
> Can you suggest where I may find such a font.  This was the closest I
could
> find. :)

Well, I've decided to try and create my own font. I'm also planning on
changing the feel of the interface in an attempt to make it more alien. :)

I'll post the next version once I have it ready.

Darcy

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